20. STARSHIP (Aug. 8, Santa Cruz Boardwalk): Calm down now. We're not suggesting you pay money to see them, or watch them sober. But just as locals should visit Fisherman's Wharf at least once, it's a good context-building experience to hear "We Built This City" live exactly one time. For research purposes ...

19. SHAGGY (June 20, Alameda County Fair): As much as I'm wondering what a Shaggy show looks like in 2014, I'm even more curious what kind of fans Shaggy will lure to the Alameda County Fair. The people watching will be great. If you really want to blend in, arrive with "Boombastic" as a ring tone.

Photo: Chronicle File

19. SHAGGY (June 20, Alameda County Fair): As much as I'm wondering...

18. SUPER DIAMOND (June 13, San Mateo County Fair): We intentionally left the Journey and Beatles tribute acts off our list. But Super Diamond has always been more than a Neil Diamond cover band. They've practically been a house band at Bimbo's over the years, and their positive energy will fit in well with the fair vibe.

17. THE FIXX (July 18, Santa Cruz Boardwalk): I found "Reach the Beach" for 50 cents at Walgreens in 1988 -- still the greatest bargain bin find of my lifetime. We haven't seen them live, and imagine them playing "One Thing Leads to Another" and "Saved By Zero" over and over in a never-ending loop.

15. THE WAILERS (July 3, Marin County Fair): The band is far removed from the Tosh/Marley/Bunny Wailer incarnation, but as long as original bassist/producer Aston "Family Man" Barrett is tour, they're still legit. They'll be performing "Legend" in its entirety. Is weed legal in Marin County yet?

Photo: Chronicle File

15. THE WAILERS (July 3, Marin County Fair): The band is far...

15. THE WAILERS (July 3, Marin County Fair): The band is far... Photo-6438898.87705 - SFGate

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14. TOMMY CASTRO AND THE PAINKILLERS (Aug. 2 or 3, Oakland Art + Soul Festival): He didn't have the huge radio hits of others on this list but (like Super Diamond) Castro is a thoroughly satisfying live performer. Art + Soul hasn't released its full lineup yet, or the date that Castro will play. But he's listed as booked.

12. ELVIN BISHOP (July 6, Marin County Fair): Note we've been moving out of the novelty acts and into "this guy is actually good" territory. Blues guitarist and longtime Bay Area resident Bishop has managed to maintain his credibility when others were lured by MTV or a chance at pop superstardom. Plus he apparently chops his own wood.

11. MACY GRAY (July 11, Santa Cruz Boardwalk): This was one of the free act surprises. We figured she'd stay away from these types of gigs as long as Bimbo's and Yoshi's were still calling. Maybe she just likes the county fair smell of fried Twinkies, puke and suntan lotion. Either way, it's our gain.

10. CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED (June 20, Sonoma-Marin Fair; June 21, Alameda County Fair): Two-thirds of the living members of "Creedence Clearwater Revival" are involved, and it's the two (Doug Clifford and Stu Cook) that made "Heard it Through the Grapevine" great. Fair-going tip: After seven beers, the other guys start to sound like Fogertys.

9. TESLA (June 29, Alameda County Fair): So you think that it's over, and your love has finally reached the end? This Sacramento band has endured longer than anyone expected. Little-known Tesla fact: No one in the history of the band has ever driven to one of their concerts in a Tesla.

8. THE TUBES featuring Fee Waybill (July 4, Santa Cruz Boardwalk): Another surviving San Francisco band, The Tubes are about to celebrate four decades together. (Has it really been 39 years since "White Punks on Dope"?) The band features four original members, an amazing feat in the age of firing your drummer by text message.

7. CONFUNKSHUN (June 25, Alameda County Fair; July 30 Solano County Fair) The pride of Vallejo edges out Eddie Money and Night Ranger for logging the most miles traveling to local county fairs. We'll never get sick of them. The second band on the list that features a flute soloist. You'll recognize: "Fun, Fun, Fun."

6. NIGHT RANGER (July 5, Marin County Fair; July 6, Alameda County Fair) Original Night Rangers Kelly Keagy and Jack Blades pose in front of San Rafael High School, the site of their "Sister Christian" video. Fair fact: If you drink enough cheap fair wine, you will think you're in the "Sister Christian" video as well.

5. EDDIE MONEY (June 18, Sonoma-Marin Fair; June 19 Alameda Fair; Aug. 15, Santa Cruz Boardwalk): If scientists were to design a musical artist in a lab to play the free county fair circuit, it would look a lot like Eddie Money. Even as he slows down after decades of touring, Money has a large number of hits and genuinely seems to enjoy playing for an audience of inebriated cheapskates.

4. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS (July 6, Marin County Fair): Don't tell the Marin County fair people, but I would pay at least $15 to see this one. Joan Jett's music has held up well over the years. And while all county fair venues are pretty bad, Marin may be the best of the lot.

3. Y&T (Aug. 1, Santa Cruz Boardwalk): Another great Bay Area band, Y&T is extremely underrated, and always puts on an excellent show. Lead singer/guitarist Dave Meniketti was in great form as recently as April, when my friend Gregg took this photo of me. (Watching the band in Tempe.) RIP Phil Kennemore.

2. LOS LOBOS (July 31, Solano County Fair): The last time I've seen this band on the county fair free act circuit was the early 1990s. They're fantastic songwriters with a huge catalogue, and a quality live show. Give credit to the Solano Fair, which just a few years ago wasn't booking national acts.

Photo: Damian Dovargenas, Associated Press

2. LOS LOBOS (July 31, Solano County Fair): The last time I've seen...

1. HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS (July 2, Marin County Fair): Get there early, because I'm imagining a mob taking advantage of seeing Huey Lewis at the fair. More than a local band, Huey Lewis and the News have become a part of the community. Shown here doing the National Anthem at a Giants game.